The Governor of the Socotra Archipelago, Engineer Raafat Al-Thaqali, inaugurated today the “Creative Planet” Center, affiliated with the Socotra Planet Foundation. The center was implemented in partnership with UNESCO and with support and funding from the European Union.
At the inauguration, which was attended by the Deputy Governor for Culture and Tourism, Yahya bin Afrar, Governor Al-Thaqali emphasized the importance of this center as a space to nurture creativity and young talent. He noted the local authority's support for such cultural initiatives, especially since the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and requires special attention to promote its identity, heritage, and cultural development.
During the opening ceremony, the governor and his entourage toured the facilities of the "Creative Planet" center, visiting the halls and spaces dedicated to artistic and cultural activities. They listened to a detailed explanation of the project, its objectives, and its components, presented by Ammar Bamatarf, head of the Planet Socotra Foundation, along with the foundation's team. The center's vision and its role in supporting local talent and creating a sustainable creative environment in Socotra were outlined.
On the sidelines of the event, the "Charter for the Preservation of Socotra's Human and Natural Heritage" was signed by those present, affirming their shared commitment to protecting the archipelago's unique cultural identity, preserving its biodiversity, and establishing social responsibility towards heritage as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development.
The opening ceremony was attended by Abdullah Al-Hamid, advisor to the Minister of Tourism; Fahmi Al-Thaqali, director of the governor's office; Omar Bin Qablan, director of the Culture Office; Mohammed Banafa, representative of the UNESCO project; and a number of officials and representatives of cultural institutions and civil society organizations in the archipelago.
